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FRONTIER LITHIUM INC. — Governance Information 2021
Sep 17, 2021
44269_rns_2021-09-17_53b14fcd-e7c3-4a51-b101-208246197859.pdf
Governance Information
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SCHEDULE A:
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
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PURPOSE
The Audit Committee (the “ Committee ”) of First Cobalt Corp. (the “ Company ”) is a committee of the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) charged with oversight of financial reporting as well as related disclosure, internal controls, regulatory compliance and risk management functions.
COMPOSITION
The members of the Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Chair shall be elected by the members of the Committee. The Committee shall consist of a minimum of three directors of the Company, the majority of which must be independent directors. Independence is defined by applicable Canadian laws and regulations as well as the rules of relevant stock exchanges (the “ Applicable Laws ”). At a minimum, each Committee member shall have no direct or indirect relationship with the Company that could, in the opinion of the Board, reasonably interfere with the exercise of a Committee member’s independent judgment (except as otherwise permitted by Applicable Laws).
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Each member of the Committee must be financially literate, meaning that the director has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present the breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements.
At least one member of the Committee shall be a ‘financial expert’ within the meaning of Applicable Laws. The financial expert should have the following competencies:
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An understanding of financial statements and accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements;
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The ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;
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Experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity comparable to the Company’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;
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An understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and
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An understanding of audit committee functions.
RISK OVERSIGHT
In addition to the specific responsibilities enumerated below, the Committee shall be responsible for reviewing financial risks of the business and overseeing the implementation and evaluation of appropriate risk management practices. This will involve inquiring with management regarding how financial risks are managed and seeking opinions from management and the independent auditor regarding the adequacy of risk mitigation strategies.
COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition to such other duties as may be delegated by the Board, the Committee shall:
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Financial Statements : Review the Company’s interim and annual financial statements, MD&A and related press releases and recommend Board approval of such documents.
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Variances : Obtain explanations from management for significant variances between comparative reporting periods and question management and the independent auditor regarding any significant financial reporting issues raised during the fiscal period and the method of resolution.
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Internal Controls : Inquire as to the adequacy of the Company’s system of internal controls and review periodic reports from management regarding internal controls, which should include an assessment of risk with respect to financial reporting.
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Auditor : Recommend Board approval for the appointment of the Company’s independent auditor. Oversee the work of the independent auditor; ensure that the independent auditor
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reports directly to the Committee; and ensure that any disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting are resolved.
- Non-audit Services : Approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided to the Company and its subsidiaries by the independent auditor. The Chair of the Committee may pre-approve such services on behalf of the Committee provided that such approvals are presented at the Committee meeting following such pre-approval. In order to obtain pre-approval, management should detail the work to be performed by the independent auditor and obtain the assurance from the independent auditor that the proposed work will not impair their independence.
Certain de minimis non-audit services will satisfy the pre-approval requirement provided:
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the aggregate amount of all these non-audit services that were not pre-approved is reasonably expected to constitute no more that 5% of the total audit fees paid by the Company and its subsidiaries to the independent auditor during the fiscal year in which the services are provided;
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the Company or its subsidiaries, did not recognize the services as non-audit services at the time of the engagement; and
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the services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved prior to the completion of the annual audit.
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Whistleblower : Oversee a Company whistleblower program that provides an opportunity for confidential and anonymous submissions of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters and other potential violations of the Company’s Code of Conduct.
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Internal Audit : Review and approve the annual internal audit plan as presented by the internal audit function to ensure that it is appropriate, risk-based and addresses all prioritized auditable entities. Review progress towards completion of the annual plan and performance of the head of the internal audit function.
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Hiring : Review and approve the Company’s policies regarding the hiring of current and past partners and employees of the Company’s present or former independent auditor.
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Reporting : Report to the Board on a quarterly basis on the proceedings of Committee meetings.
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Mandate : Annually review the Committee’s mandate and assess the Committee’s functioning and performance relative to the requirements set out within this mandate.
CHAIRMAN RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chairman of the Committee shall:
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Convene and preside over Committee meetings and ensure they are conducted in an efficient, effective and focused manner.
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Assist management with the preparation of an agenda and ensure that meeting materials are prepared and disseminated in a timely manner.
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Ensure that the Committee has sufficient time and information to make informed decisions.
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Provide leadership to the Committee and management with respect to matters covered by this mandate.
AUTHORITY
The Committee has authority to:
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Appoint, compensate, and oversee the work of any registered public accounting firm retained by the Company.
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Conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within its scope of responsibility, including with respect to whistleblower submissions.
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Retain, at the Company’s expense, independent legal, accounting or other advisors to assist the Committee in carrying out its duties or to assist in the conduct of an investigation.
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Meet with management, the independent auditor and other advisors, as necessary.
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Obtain full access to the books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries.
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- Call a meeting of the Board to consider any matter of concern to the Committee.
MEETINGS
The Committee shall meet as often as it deems necessary, but not less frequently than quarterly. A quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings shall be a majority of members. Decisions shall be made by an affirmative vote of the majority of members in attendance and the Committee Chair shall not have a deciding or casting vote.
An in-camera session of independent directors shall take place at least quarterly. The Committee may also request to meet separately with management, internal auditors, independent auditors or other advisors. Meeting minutes shall be recorded and maintained, as directed by the Chair of the Committee.
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